Blackmail the Universe

"Blackmail the Universe" is a 2004 song by American thrash metal band Megadeth, written by frontman Dave Mustaine. It was released as a promotional single from their 2004 album The System Has Failed.[3]

"Blackmail the Universe"
Promotional single by Megadeth
from the album The System Has Failed
B-side"Kick the Chair"
Released2004
Recorded2003–2004, October 9, 2005 (video)[1]
Studio
GenreThrash metal[2]
Length4:33
LabelSanctuary
Songwriter(s)Dave Mustaine
Producer(s)Jeff Balding, Dave Mustaine
Megadeth singles chronology
"Die Dead Enough"
(2004)		 "Blackmail the Universe"
(2004)		 "Of Mice and Men"
(2004)
Music video
"Blackmail the Universe" on YouTube

Background

"Blackmail the Universe" is one of the most political songs Megadeth has, and is filled with attitude.[4][5][6] The song starts with a news report of Air Force One being shot down.[1][7][8] It features lyrics about nuclear war, terrorism and tensions in the Middle East.[9][10] The song marks a return to the thrash metal that the band played in their early days.[4][11] It has been described as similar to the song and album Rust in Peace, not only lyrically, but musically too.[12][13][14][15]

"Blackmail the Universe" has been played 133 times live by the band.[16] The concert tour for The System Has Failed was titled after this song.[17]

Music video

A music video for "Blackmail the Universe" was recorded on October 9, 2005, and was featured on That One Night: Live in Buenos Aires[18] (although it was also released separately).[19] The video was directed by Michael J. Sarna.[1]

Reception

"Blackmail Universe" has been noted as a highlight of the album by many reviewers.[8][12][20][21] It has been described as one of, if not "...the (band's) best since Countdown to Extinction".[8][22][23] BraveWords praised Chris Poland's guitar work on the song.[24] The song is the most streamed from the album on Spotify.[25]

Other appearances

"Blackmail the Universe" has appeared on many Megadeth releases, including the greatest hits album Warheads on Foreheads and the aforementioned That One Night live album.[26]

Track listing
CD[27]
No.TitleLength
1."Blackmail the Universe"4:33
2."Kick The Chair"3:57

Personnel

Production and performance credits are adapted from the album liner notes,[28] except where noted.

Megadeth
Session musicians
Production
  • Produced and recorded by Jeff Balding and Dave Mustaine
  • Mixed by Jeff Balding
  • Assisted by David Bryant, Ralph Patlan, Scott Kidd, Jesse Amend, Lance Dean, and Jed Hackett
  • Additional recording by David Bryant, Jed Hackett, and John Saylor
  • Mastered by Adam Ayan
  • Digital editing by Mark Hagen and Jed Hackett
  • Production coordination by Mike "Frog" Griffith
  • Artwork by Larry West[30][31]

References
  1. "Megadeth: Blackmail the Universe". IMDb. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  2. Clouse, Matthew (September 28, 2017). "Megadeth: 'The System Has Failed' Album Review". Odyssey. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  3. "Megadeth – Blackmail The Universe". Discogs. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  4. Arnold, Neil. "Megadeth The System Has Failed". Metal Forces Magazine. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  5. Schacht, Brett (October 5, 2019). "Retro Riffs: MEGADETH 'The System Has Failed' Album Review & Stream". Riff Relevant. Archived from the original on December 19, 2019. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  6. Alper (April 21, 2018). "Underrated Albums: Megadeth – The System Has Failed". Mega Depth. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  7. "Megadeth – The System Has Failed". Face Off. September 13, 2022. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  8. "The System Has Failed". Metal Crypt. July 19, 2004. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  9. "MEGADETH – SANCTUARY HYPES UP THE SYSTEM HAS FAILED". Brave Words. July 27, 2004. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  10. "The System Has Failed". Plugged In. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  11. "MEGADETH — THE SYSTEM HAS FAILED". Metal Music Archives. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  12. Morg (February 6, 2019). "Megadeth – 'The System Has Failed' Remastered Review". The Metal Report. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  13. "Megadeth The System Has Failed". The Metal Forge. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  14. Mike. "MEGADETH – THE SYSTEM HAS FAILED". Metal Reviews. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  15. "Megadeth – The System Has Failed". Metal Rules. November 1, 2004. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  16. "Blackmail the Universe performed by Megadeth". Setlist.FM. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  17. "MEGADETH: More 'Blackmail the Universe Tour' Dates Announced". Blabbermouth. October 19, 2004. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  18. That One Night: Live in Buenos Aires CD liner notes. Image Entertainment. 2007. p. 3.
  19. "MEGADETH -BLACKMAIL THE UNIVERSE (THAT ONE NIGHT) [HD]". Megadeth.com. February 21, 2017. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  20. "Megadeth – The World Needs A Hero and The System Has Failed album reviews". Louder Sound. February 15, 2019. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  21. "Megadeth "The System Has Failed"". Guitar 9. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  22. Guard, Old (August 28, 2004). "Megadeth – The System Has Failed Review". Your Last Rites. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  23. "Megadeth: The World Needs A Hero/The System Has Failed (Reissues)". Spectrum Culture. February 27, 2019. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  24. Balazs, Nick (March 29, 2019). "MEGADETH – THE WORLD NEEDS A HERO / THE SYSTEM HAS FAILED". Brave Words. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  25. "Blackmail The Universe – Megadeth". Spotify. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  26. Thomas, Fred. "Warheads on Foreheads – Megadeth – Songs, Reviews, Credits – AllMusic". AllMusic. AllMusic. Retrieved April 11, 2020.
  27. "Megadeth – Blackmail The Universe". Discogs. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  28. The System Has Failed liner notes. Sanctuary Records. 2004. p. 15.
  29. The Scorpion. "SCORPION Q+A". Megadeth.com. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
  30. ""Set the World Afire!"". Larry West Productions. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  31. ""Victory"". Larry West Productions. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
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